The ASF virus (ASFV) is the cause of African Swine Fever (ASF), a highly infectious illness that is decimating swine production worldwide. ASFV, a large DNA virus (170–193 kbp) from the Asfarviridae family, exhibits remarkable environmental persistence, surviving in pork products for up to 291 days and is transmitted through direct contact, contaminated fomites, and Ornithodoros ticks. First identified in Kenya (1921), ASF has spread to 64 countries across five continents by 2025, with particularly severe impacts in China, where outbreaks since 2018 caused 25–35% herd losses and $141 billion in economic damage. The disease manifests in peracute, acute, subacute, and chronic forms, with mortality reaching 100% in acute cases, characterised by haemorrhagic fever and multi-organ failure. ASF has triggered a global crisis, reducing pork production by 20–25% in affected regions and disrupting food security, especially in smallholder-dependent areas. In Vietnam, pork consumption dropped by 25%, while in Timor-Leste, 70% of households lost critical emergency funds due to pig losses. Market distortions, including surging pork imports (e.g. an 864% increase in Thailand) and smuggling, further complicate recovery. Control relies on stringent biosecurity, including farm-level measures (showering protocols, pork product bans) and national-level strategies (movement controls, surveillance, wild boar management). Since there is currently no effective vaccine, the lack of an effective vaccine must underscore the need for integrated approaches combining prevention, early detection, and international cooperation. The ASF pandemic highlights vulnerabilities in global food systems, emphasising the urgency of resilient production models to mitigate future outbreaks.